MORRIS COUNTY — On July 14, cadets of the Picatinny Squadron of Civil Air Patrol visited Picatinny Arsenal for the base Community Day. The young teens aged 14 to 17 manned an information table about the Civil Air Patrol and then were invited to meet with Brigadier General Patrick W. Burden, Deputy Program Executive Officer Ammunition and Senior Commander.
General Burden gave each cadet attending the event a base “challenge coin.” A challenge coin is a small coin or medallion utilized in the military, bearing a unit or base or command insignia or emblem. They are normally presented by unit commanders in recognition of special achievement by a member of the unit. They are also exchanged in recognition of visits to an organization.
Squadron Cadet Curtiss Bailey from Rockaway said “It was an amazing experience meeting General Burden. He stopped by our table and showed great interest ion our cadet program. I was surprised when we were invited to meet in his office and receive a challenge coin.”
Cadet Sloane Liput from Mountain Lakes was also in attendance. She remarked that “having an Army general take the time to talk with us, and show real interest in our program was very impressive. The challenge coin was a huge surprise and an honor to receive.”
The national organization of Civil Air Patrol is a congressionally chartered, federally supported non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. CAP has 58,000 adult and youth members nationwide, and maintains more than 500 aircraft throughout the country. In 2014, Congress awarded CAP members who served during World War II with a Congressional Gold Medal recognizing their contributions towards the war effort stateside.
The Picatinny Composite Squadron is part of the CAP Northeast Region, New Jersey Wing. Its members are comprised of adults and teens from 13-17 from Morris, Warren and Sussex Counties. The group meets every Tuesday night from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Dover American Legion Hall. For more information please visit www.picatinnycap.org or www.gocivilairpatrol.com.
